The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday announced its new policy paper on cross-strait affairs, stressing that it will maintain a cautious attitude in economic exchanges with China, a more robust national defense and more emphasis on Taiwan national identity in education.
The TSU yesterday invited Deputy Minister of National Defense Michael Tsai (
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
The TSU's policy paper proposes the concept of "effective intimidation, positive defense" as the country's national defense policy, saying Taiwan needs to develop preemptive tactics when facing China's military threats and discard old attitudes of passive defense.
The paper also said the Minister of National Defense should articulate a "guideline for national defense," which articulates a clear-cut plan for building up the country's military force within a shorter timeframe -- three to five years -- than the usual defense plans.
The TSU also declared its support for weapons procurement from the US, and emphasized the necessity of making all Taiwanese people wary of China's pro-unification propaganda.
On economic policy, the TSU urged the country to go slower in opening up Taiwan's markets and decrease investment in China. It suggested passing both a "loyalty law" -- though the party did not elaborate what this would be -- and a "protection law for Taiwan's technologies."
The paper also stressed the importance of establishing an immigration policy to prevent an overflow of Chinese immigrants, which would erode the nation's economy.
The TSU responded to criticisms made by Yen Wan-ching (
TSU secretary-general Lin Chih-chia (林志嘉) responded yesterday that the TSU's goal is to ensure that national security is not sacrificed in the process of eager economic exchange with China and its "one country, two systems" policy.
"The bankruptcies of many Tai-wanese businesspeople with operations in China have validated former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) concern that overly open policies will lead to economic bankruptcy," Lin added.
Earlier in the day, TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) led the TSU's legislative candidates in the Legislative Yuan in a mass pledge, vowing that the TSU will grab at least 30 legislative seats in the December elections and achieve the goal of jointly winning at least 50 percent of the legislative seats with the DPP.
Huang announced the TSU's legislative campaign theme: "Writing a new constitution, correcting the country's name and creating a new Taiwan."
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